Un idiot à Paris (1967) - film review

Goubi, the idiot in a small rural town, has two dreams: to marry the mayor’s daughter Berthe and to visit Paris.  He may not have much chance of getting the girl he wants, but he does get to see his favourite city.  When he drinks himself unconscious, his two friends are compelled to take him with them in their to the Halles market in Paris, where they work selling their vegetables.   Goubi slips away unnoticed and within no time has been befriended by a tough businessman Dessertine and a kind-hearted prostitute Madame Lafleur.  The latter has become tired of her life and wants to settle down in the countryside.  Oddly, Goubi seems to be her beau ideal...

This rather bloodless comedy is marred by a weak script (which has few jokes and a rather silly storyline based around tiresome stereotypes) and one major casting error.  Jean Lefebvre is a sympathetic actor who works well in a supporting role along side “bigger” actors – such as Louis de Funès in the Gendarme series.  Unfortunately, he has neither the charisma nor acting talent to carry a film such as this.  His portrayal of a village idiot is not just unconvincing; it’s unpardonably two-dimensional.  His co-stars aren’t much better either, although the script is largely to blame.  Only two actors look as if they are interested in what they are doing and take the thing seriously: Robert Dalban and Bernard Blier.  It’s a pity that the film is so beautifully shot and has a nice Jacques Brel number; it really doesn’t deserve it.

© James Travers 2006

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